RI farmers markets opening for winter

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - It's quiet now at the Lafayette Mill in North Kingstown, but it will soon be filled with customers shopping for fresh produce.

The hustle and bustle of customers was a common scene at last year’s winter farmers market in Pawtucket. Now, there's a winter option in southern Rhode Island.

Mike Hutchison, President of Coastal Growers Market said, "We've had a lot of customers, the South County customers, come up to us and say hey, why don't you start a winter market?"

The market will run on Saturdays through March from 10am - 1pm at the Lafayette Mill. Local growers are already checking out their spaces.

Bevan Linsley, Marketing Manager for the Coastal Growers Market, said, "Local food helps the environment by squashing the need for long distance hauling. It also, puts our dollars back in the pockets of local growers, which is very important to her customers,"

Patrick McNiff runs Casey Farm in Saunderstown. He said, "There's a lot of products that get better as it gets colder, so you'll have carrots that taste like candy this time of year."

McNiff's market will be open for business starting the Saturday before Thanksgiving.